Chapter 37 – Fourth Challenge (Part 6)
With a guitar in hand, amplifiers strategically placed beside him, and an outfit completely different from what anyone expected, Cody looked like a musician straight out of the late '90s or early 2000s.
Dark jacket, faded-style shirt, subtle chains catching the light—he looked like someone ready to make a statement.
Reactions came quickly.
Geoff was the first to whistle in approval.
"Dude, if this is a style transformation, then you nailed it!" Geoff said.
Courtney narrowed her eyes, evaluating every detail with precision.
Lindsay crossed her arms.
"I didn't expect this… but gotta admit, he looks good," Lindsay murmured.
Duncan, who had been watching everything with indifference until now, raised an eyebrow with interest.
"If the guy's gonna play rock, then at least this'll be entertaining," Duncan said.
Gwen, for her part, felt her heart beat a little faster.
Not from nerves.
From anticipation.
And then—the music began.
The first strum cut through the air with power, the sound amplified through the speakers and spreading across the amphitheater.
It was aggressive. It was clear.
It was pure spectacle.
Owen tapped the table with excitement.
"Yes! This is already good and he's only played one note," Owen said.
Noah raised an eyebrow with curiosity.
"For the first time in this whole competition… I'm interested," Noah said.
Chris, enjoying every second, smiled before commenting:
"If there's one thing Cody understands—it's that a good show isn't just music… it's presence," Chris said.
Cody, feeling the energy in the air, grabbed the microphone.
And then—he began to sing.
The first line came out with confidence, his voice resonating with a sharp edge, matching the strength of the song.
"They're gonna clean your looks
With all the lies in the books
To make a citizen out of you
Because they sleep with a gun
And keep an eye on you, son
So they can watch all the things you do"
Reactions were immediate.
Duncan, who had kept a neutral expression until now, nodded slightly.
Gwen, unintentionally, felt every word of the lyrics connect with what had happened.
"Because the drugs never work
They're gonna give you a smirk
'Cause they got methods of keeping you clean
They're gonna rip up your heads
Your aspirations to shreds
Another cog in the murder machine"
Courtney crossed her arms, analyzing him with a mix of evaluation and surprise.
Lindsay exhaled softly.
"Well… looks like he knows how to use his voice," Lindsay said.
Chris, enjoying the performance, commented with enthusiasm:
"This show has everything it needs—attitude, presence, and a song that stirs emotion," Chris said.
When the chorus hit, Cody's voice surged with intensity, the guitar strums growing more frenetic as the rhythm escalated.
"They said: All teenagers scare the living s*** out of me
They could care less as long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone, but not me"
The audience couldn't resist.
Owen stood slightly from his seat, raising a hand like he was at a concert.
"This guy's killing it!" Owen shouted.
Geoff whistled energetically.
"Come on, Cody—crank it up!" Geoff said.
Noah let out a soft huff before nodding.
"Didn't want to admit it—but this is pretty good," Noah said.
"The boys and girls in the clique
The awful names that they stick
You're never gonna fit in much, kid
But if you're troubled and hurt
What you got under your shirt
Will make them pay for the things that they did"
Gwen, still watching him, felt a mix of emotions.
This wasn't the usual Cody.
This was someone owning the stage.
"All teenagers scare the living s*** out of me
They could care less as long as someone'll bleed
So darken your clothes or strike a violent pose
Maybe they'll leave you alone, but not me"
The final notes of the song rang out with force, the guitar marking the end with a deep sound, leaving the echo floating in the air for a few seconds.
Silence held for an instant.
And then—the amphitheater exploded in applause.
Owen whistled loudly.
Geoff jumped from his seat and clapped with energy.
Sadie and Katie screamed with excitement.
Courtney, though still analytical, smirked slightly.
Chris let the applause continue for a few seconds before finally stepping in.
"Well, well—what a finale!" he exclaimed with energy. "Who would've thought Cody would bring something this explosive to the competition?"
Chef Hatchet slammed the table hard before raising his scorecard.
9 out of 10.
Cody slowly lowered the guitar, exhaling before flashing a calm smile.
He was done.
But his impact on the competition was just beginning to be felt.
Because now—everyone knew something new about him.
He was someone who could command the stage.
And no one could deny it.
The talent show had been full of unexpected moments—but nothing compared to what Cody had just done on stage.
Not only did he surprise everyone with his image and attitude—his performance was powerful, energetic, and completely outside what anyone had anticipated.
And now, after the presentation, the camp was split between excitement, surprise, and a bit of disbelief.
The cameras turned on, capturing the individual reactions of the campers after the show.
Confessional – Chris
The camera focused on Chris, who wore a wide smile, clearly satisfied with what he had just witnessed.
"This… this is what makes a show great," Chris said.
He made an exaggerated gesture with his hands before continuing.
"Cody had presence. He had attitude. And most importantly—he kept the entire camp hooked from start to finish," Chris said.
He leaned back in his chair with a relaxed air.
"I don't know what'll happen with the scores—but if anyone here is thinking about becoming a star, he's definitely on the right path," Chris said.
The shot cut just as Chris nodded with satisfaction.
Confessional – Duncan
The camera focused on Duncan, arms crossed and a faint smile on his face.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but… Cody's got style," Duncan said.
He paused before nodding to himself.
"The guy picked a good song, knew how to handle the stage, and most importantly… he didn't look lost or nervous," Duncan added.
He let out a soft huff before smirking.
"I don't know if he actually planned this—but if he did… it was a smart move," Duncan said.
The shot cut just as Duncan relaxed his arms.
Confessional – Gwen
The camera focused on Gwen, her expression hard to define.
She looked to the side for a second before letting out a sigh.
"I didn't know what to expect when Cody stepped on stage—but it definitely wasn't this," Gwen said.
She paused, biting her lip slightly, as if still processing what had happened.
"The song… the attitude… It was like seeing someone completely different," Gwen said.
Her gaze darkened for a moment before continuing.
"It made me think about everything that happened before. Everything Heather exposed. I don't know if Cody did this for the show or because he wanted everyone to see something else in him," Gwen said.
She crossed her arms before exhaling more calmly.
"But what I do know… is that I can't ignore it," Gwen said.
The shot cut just as Gwen stared directly into the camera.
Confessional – Lindsay
Lindsay appeared on screen, arms crossed, her expression a mix of analysis and mild irritation.
"Okay, first… Cody is way too dazzling," Lindsay said.
She shook her head slightly before exhaling.
"Look, I knew he was cute—but not rockstar cute," Lindsay said.
She paused before adjusting her posture.
"And now, everyone's seeing what I saw. Gwen, Bridgette, Courtney… They're all focused on Cody," Lindsay said.
She raised an eyebrow before nodding.
"I don't know what's going to happen next—but I'm not staying behind," Lindsay said.
The shot cut just as Lindsay smiled with determination.
Confessional – Courtney
Courtney appeared on screen with a calculating expression, clearly analyzing what had happened.
"If Cody wanted to make an impression—he did," Courtney said.
She crossed her arms before continuing.
"The guy knows how to play the game. He brought the look, the attitude, the rhythm… But what's most interesting is that he didn't get distracted for a second," Courtney said.
She let out a soft huff before nodding.
"If he had doubts before about how to handle Gwen, Bridgette, and Lindsay… now he's got more problems," Courtney said.
She smirked slightly before looking directly at the camera.
"And if he's as good at strategic games as he seems… then I want to see what he does next," Courtney said.
The shot cut just as Courtney adjusted her hair with confident flair.
Confessional – Geoff
The camera focused on Geoff, still buzzing with energy from the performance.
"That was incredible!" Geoff said.
He slapped the table enthusiastically before continuing.
"Look, I'm a guy who loves extreme shows—but if anyone here can lead a concert, it's Cody!" Geoff said.
He shook his head before laughing.
"If he ever starts a band—I want front row seats," Geoff said.
The shot cut with Geoff giving a thumbs-up.
Confessional – Owen
Owen appeared on screen with a surprised expression.
"Guys, that was pure rock!" Owen said.
He made a dramatic gesture before nodding firmly.
"I don't know what they gave Cody for breakfast—but I want the same!" Owen said.
The shot cut with Owen laughing loudly.
Confessional – Noah
Noah appeared with a neutral expression—but a faint spark of interest in his eyes.
"To be honest… I expected less," Noah said.
He leaned slightly forward before continuing.
"But the guy did well. I can't deny he had presence—he knew how to own the stage," Noah said.
He exhaled before nodding to himself.
"I don't know how he'll handle all the attention he's getting now… but if he keeps this up—it'll be interesting to watch," Noah said.
The shot cut with Noah looking at the camera thoughtfully.
The amphitheater still pulsed with the energy of Cody's first performance. The surprise, the intensity, the stage command—it all lingered in the air. But now, with the crowd asking for another song, Cody had a new opportunity.
The lights dimmed slightly, focusing solely on him.
Chris, savoring the anticipation, grabbed the microphone with a wide smile.
"Well, well—looks like everyone wants more of Cody," Chris said.
The crowd responded with cheers, some tapping their knees to the rhythm of the last song still echoing in their heads.
Chef, with a rare faint smile, leaned in before commenting:
"The kid knows how to keep a show going," Chris said.
Cody stepped forward to the front of the stage, microphone in one hand, guitar still in the other.
But before starting, he let the silence linger a few seconds longer.
And then—he spoke.
Cody scanned the amphitheater, seeing every expectant face, every gaze locked on him.
He breathed slowly before beginning.
"It's funny how things change, isn't it?" Cody said.
The phrase hung in the air, some campers leaning in slightly, attentive to his calm tone.
Gwen, especially, locked her eyes on him with heightened interest.
Courtney crossed her arms, her calculating gaze focused on what was coming.
Duncan, until now relaxed, straightened his back slightly, intrigued by the direction Cody was taking.
Sadie and Katie still showed faint blushes from the moment Cody took off his jacket—but now they focused on every word with genuine attention.
Cody let out a soft, humorless laugh before continuing.
"Sometimes we think we know everything about someone. That we can box them into a fixed version—as if they'll never change. But the truth is… we all evolve," Cody said.
He paused before turning slightly toward the screen behind him.
The image appeared.
It was him. His former self. The image of the classic Cody—the one everyone used to know.
Murmurs spread instantly.
Geoff let out a soft gasp before laughing.
"Dude, this is like watching an extreme before-and-after!" Geoff said.
Noah raised an eyebrow, analyzing the contrast.
Gwen exhaled quietly, her eyes fixed on the screen, trying to figure out how sincere Cody really was in all of this.
Cody let the reaction settle before continuing.
"People change for a lot of reasons. Sometimes because they want to. Sometimes because they have to. And sometimes… because they don't have a choice," Cody said.
His gaze dropped slightly, his tone heavy with restrained emotion.
Chris, sensing the drama building, whispered with a grin.
"Now this is quality television…" he said.
Chef nodded subtly, not missing a beat.
Cody turned back to the audience, locking eyes with intensity.
"It might be because of disappointment. Or the weight of loneliness. Or maybe because someone made you feel like… you were never enough," Cody said.
The air in the amphitheater shifted.
His words hit harder than expected.
Gwen felt a chill, her chest tightening for reasons she couldn't quite name.
Courtney narrowed her eyes, analyzing every word with precision.
Lindsay bit her lower lip, caught in the moment.
Duncan let out a soft huff and nodded, as if he understood exactly what Cody was trying to say.
Cody took a breath before finishing.
"That's why this song matters. Because sometimes, behind every change, there's something deeper… something searching for answers," he said.
The lights shifted in tone.
The guitar rang out with a deep note.
The screen behind him cast a subtle shadow effect.
And then, Cody began his second song.
Confessional – Chris
The camera focused on Chris, still wearing a wide smile, clearly delighted by what he'd just witnessed.
"Look, I've seen hundreds of performances on reality shows—and there's always someone who understands what makes a great show," Chris said.
He paused before gesturing enthusiastically.
"And tonight, that someone was Cody!" he said.
He shook his head with amusement before nodding.
"The kid mixed drama, intensity, and a touch of emotional manipulation. And I won't lie—it was brilliant," Chris said.
The shot cut just as Chris laughed with satisfaction.
The amphitheater lights shifted to a cooler, almost ethereal tone. The screen behind Cody still showed the image of his former self, contrasting with who he was now.
The murmurs among the campers hadn't fully died down since his speech. The impact of seeing him take off his jacket, reveal his physique, and then show an old image of himself left the atmosphere tense, charged with expectation.
And now, with guitar in hand and mic ready, Cody was about to give them something completely different.
Chris, savoring the tension in the air, grabbed the mic with a wide grin.
"Well, well—if the first performance was good… then this promises to be even better," Chris said.
Chef, still wearing his neutral expression, crossed his arms and muttered:
"Let's see if the kid can keep it up."
Cody exhaled slowly, his fingers adjusting around the guitar before strumming the first notes.
The sound filled the air—a haunting yet captivating melody.
And then, he began to sing:
"All my friends are toxic, all ambitionless
So rude and always negative
I need new friends, but it's not that quick and easy
Oh, I'm drowning, let me breathe"
His voice came out with controlled softness—almost melancholic, but with a sharp edge beneath every word.
Reactions were immediate.
Duncan, who had been watching with interest, nodded slightly.
"Alright, this has weight," he muttered.
Gwen, still processing everything that had happened, felt something stir in her chest she couldn't quite name.
Courtney, never losing her analytical expression, murmured:
"If Cody wanted to make an impact—he's doing it."
Sadie and Katie, still visibly blushing, exchanged glances before nodding quickly.
Lindsay exhaled softly, her eyes never leaving Cody.
"I never thought I'd say this but… wow," Lindsay said.
When the chorus hit, the energy of the song intensified. The melody deepened, each word resonating with force.
"I'm better off all by myself
Though I'm feeling kinda empty without somebody else
Oh, I hear you crying out for help
But you never showed for me when I was ringing your cellphone
Oh, you don't know how it feels to be alone
Baby, oh, I'll make you know, I'll make you know, oh"
The impact was immediate.
Geoff whistled in approval.
"Dude, this is way more intense than I expected!"
Owen pounded the table enthusiastically, keeping rhythm.
Noah, who rarely got emotionally involved, tilted his head with genuine interest.
Chris let out a soft laugh before commenting:
"If anyone here still doubted Cody… I think those doubts are gone."
Chef, in a rare gesture, nodded in approval.
Courtney, arms crossed, murmured:
"It's impressive how much he's changed in just one night."
"I'm drowning, let me breathe
I'm drowning, let me breathe
I'm drowning, let me breathe
I'm drowning, let me breathe"
Gwen felt a strange pang in her chest—but said nothing.
Because the old Cody…
No longer existed.
As the song progressed, the intensity in Cody's voice rose—his performance charged with something between defiance and raw emotion.
The images on the screen slowly shifted, showing the contrast between his past and present.
It was visually striking.
"But life is immaculate, backin' it up a bit
Countin' my hours and knocking on wood
Avoiding my opposites, chewin' on chocolate
Had a bit limited time, but I should
Be good for a minute, don't want to admit it
I'm running on seconds, I'm rigid, I'm screwed
Don't know what to do, I'm thinking of you
I'm drinking up bottles and bottles of booze"
Duncan let out a soft huff before saying with a playful tone:
"Alright, I think we officially have a new Cody."
"I fell into your river
That's where you told me lies
You said that I'd feel better
But this is where good guys die
You took my pride away, but
You cannot take my light
I'll find another way
But now you're taking my light
Don't you see how I…"
Lindsay let out a soft laugh before saying:
"I don't know what happened at this camp—but somehow we turned him into a rockstar."
Geoff, tapping the rhythm on his knee, shouted:
"Yes! Give us more!"
Courtney watched the crowd's reaction before saying quietly:
"This is what happens when someone finally takes control of their image."
Gwen, still silent, felt every word of the song hit differently.
She couldn't explain it.
But she felt it.
"I'm better off all by myself
Though I'm feeling kinda empty without somebody else
Oh, I hear you crying out for help
But you never showed for me when I was ringing your cellphone
Oh, you don't know how it feels to be alone
Baby, oh, I'll make you know, I'll make you know, oh"
The final notes of the song rang out with force, the guitar marking the end with a deep sound, leaving the echo floating in the air for a few seconds.
Silence held for an instant.
And then—the amphitheater exploded in applause.
Sadie and Katie, still blushing, screamed with excitement.
Geoff jumped from his seat and clapped with energy.
Chris let the applause continue before finally stepping in.
"Ladies and gentlemen… I think we can all agree—that was legendary."
Chef slammed the table hard before raising his scorecard.
9 out of 10.
Cody slowly lowered the guitar, exhaling before flashing a calm smile.
He was done.
But his impact… was far from over.
Because after this…
Everything had changed.
After Cody's second performance, the energy at camp was still buzzing—but something had shifted. This time, it wasn't just about his presence on stage… it was about what he had said through the song.
The lyrics had been direct. Painful. Enveloping.
And the campers couldn't help but wonder: was it just a performance? Or was there something deeper behind every word?
The cameras turned back on, capturing confessional moments that reflected a more thoughtful analysis of what Cody had just sung.
Confessional – Gwen
The camera focused on Gwen, arms crossed, her expression contemplative.
Her gaze drifted for a second before she finally spoke.
"That song… it made me think," Gwen said.
She paused, as if trying to organize her thoughts.
"Every line spoke about someone trapped in a relationship that hurt them. Someone who knew they were being dragged down—but couldn't walk away," she said.
She exhaled slowly before continuing.
"Was it just part of the show? Or did Cody really feel all that?" Gwen asked.
Her gaze dropped slightly.
"Because if he did… then I… have a lot to think about," she said.
The shot cut just as Gwen looked away, clearly affected.
Confessional – Duncan
The camera focused on Duncan, wearing a faint smile, but with a sharp glint of evaluation in his eyes.
"Well played, Cody. Very well played," Duncan said.
He shook his head before exhaling.
"The lyrics were about being stuck in something toxic. Feeling tied down and unable to escape," he said.
His smile widened slightly.
"And right after the whole camp found out about his feelings for Gwen…" Duncan added.
He paused before nodding.
"If that was an indirect statement—then Cody's a lot more clever than I thought," he said.
The shot cut just as Duncan leaned back with a relaxed air.
Confessional – Courtney
Courtney appeared on screen, arms crossed, her expression more analytical than ever.
"Strategy. Intelligence. And an ambiguous message," Courtney said.
She paused before exhaling softly.
"The lyrics gave off a sense of desperation for someone. Someone he couldn't let go of—even though he knew it was wrong," she said.
Her gaze hardened.
"If Cody's saying that about someone specific—then the entire dynamic at camp is about to shift," Courtney said.
She looked directly into the camera with determination.
"And I want to see how he handles it," she said.
The shot cut just as Courtney adjusted her hair with confident flair.
Confessional – Lindsay
The camera focused on Lindsay, arms crossed, her expression hard to read.
"Well… I didn't expect to feel anything from that song," Lindsay said.
She paused before exhaling.
"But here we are," she added.
She shook her head with a soft laugh before continuing.
"If Cody really meant what he sang—then all of us here have real competition," Lindsay said.
The shot cut just as Lindsay smiled with a hint of challenge.
Confessional – Geoff
Geoff appeared with a serious expression—which was rare for him.
"Normally, I focus on the energy of the show—but this was different," Geoff said.
He exhaled before nodding.
"Cody said a lot in that song. And a lot of it makes you think," he said.
His gaze turned reflective before nodding again.
"If this is more than just a performance… then someone here needs to talk to him," Geoff said.
The shot cut just as Geoff looked directly into the camera.
Confessional – Noah
Noah appeared with a neutral expression—but a spark of analysis in his eyes.
"The lyrics fit the current context a little too well," Noah said.
He leaned forward slightly before continuing.
"Too well," he added.
He exhaled before nodding to himself.
"I don't know if Cody thought about that before choosing the song… but if he did—then this guy's smarter than he lets on," Noah said.
The shot cut just as Noah glanced sideways, deep in thought.